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Authorities in Colorado Springs have offered their first assessment of damage from the still-raging Waldo Canyon fire, and it's not a happy one: The mayor says about 350 homes have been destroyed, making it the most destructive fire in state history, reports AP. Other developments:

The fire is about 10% contained and may not be fully under control until mid-July, according to CNN.

18,000 acres have been destroyed so far, and 36,000 people have evacuated.

The cost of fighting the fire is already at $3.2 million.

Cause: It's still unknown, but the FBI is investigating reports of arson.

Quote: "We have the first break in the weather since we've been out here," a city official said today. "We are learning as we fight this fire some of its tricks. And one of its tricks is to run down these hills that way. You can fool us once, maybe, but not twice."

Only ashes remain of some houses as a result of the Waldo Canyon fire. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti)

My wife met a woman at Kohl's here in Co.Spgs. with a shopping cart full of clothes. She told my wife that her family escaped with only what was on their back. A down-slope wind (typical here at sunset) forced flames down Queen's Canyon, which had not been slurried. The million dollar neighborhood up towards the ridge was bombarded with slurry for two days; it survived unscathed (except for smoke.)

TheVEG

Jun 28, 2012 11:23 PM CDT

1 home lost is bad enough....but 350...DAMN!!!

USLady

Jun 28, 2012 9:04 PM CDT

who knows? they could be being set on purpose! maybe Obama and his administration are trying to make their lives harder,they are good at this! Americans are sick of them! God help and bless and protect the people of Colorado.Very sad what has happened there.